Greek reaction to developments leading to the Albanian league of Prizren
Part of : Balkan studies : biannual publication of the Institute for Balkan Studies ; Vol.23, No.2, 1982, pages 349-362
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349-362
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Greek consular and diplomatic reports for 1875-1881 provide valuablesource material for the Albanian national awakening and Greekreaction to it. While traditional Greek opinion in the 19th century consideredAlbanians and Greeks as kin peoples bound to be united undera common state roof, Albanians were viewed very much as part ofthe Ottoman establishment, thus unable to pursue a truly Albaniannational policy. This view began to undergo considerable change underthe influence of the events of 1877-1878. Certain attempts at concludinga Greek-Albanian alliance at that time failed on account of conflictinginterests and mutual suspicion. After the Congress of Berlin,the Greeks carefully followed Albanian initiatives - thanks to detailedconsular reports - and tried to assess their influence on Greek interests.And, although initially they tended to view the Albanian League ofPrizren as Ottoman insprired, they gradually came to espouse the opinionthat despite an initian encouragement by the Porte, the Albanianmovement acquired its own momentum. As such, the Greek Governmentwas complelled to weigh the Albanian factor more and more as a genuineforce, emerging in the vicinity of the zone of Greek interests.
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